D Philippe Boucher, Stars, four years, $9.3 million Capable, smooth blueliner had 18 points, was +23 (second in league) and playing more than 20 minutes a game. He's good insurance if defensemen Derian Hatcher and Richard Matvichuk become free agents this summer and Dallas doesn't re-sign them.

What would possess the man who assembled the championship Lakers to abandon L.A. and move to Memphis to run the toothless Grizzlies? The answer lies inside the head of sports' most talented and tortured executive

RW Tony Amonte, Coyotes, four years, $24 million Money's tight in Phoenix, and making him the club's highest-paid player was risky. His 11 goals haven't justified the outlay.

C Adam Oates, Mighty Ducks, one year, $3.5 million Signed to rev up a moribund power play, he missed 15 games with a broken left hand and had a disappointing one goal and 12 assists with the man advantage. --Daniel G. Habib

COLOR PHOTO: JOHN HAYES/REUTERS NOSEDIVE Phoenix gave the disappointing Amonte $24 million overfour years.